View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who raise Jake when his mother went back to school?

2. Why did Jake have to give up his Valentine King crown?

3. What did Skelly teach Jake to do at a very young age?

4. What wasn't Skelly wearing when he walked in while Aaron and Jake were watching films?

5. What did Skelly do when Jake couldn't do a pull-up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Mrs. Russell like?

2. How did the boys react when they saw the old man?

3. How does Jake feel about taking care of Skelly?

4. How did Skelly's nickname for Thorbert change him?

5. What coping mechanisms do they turn to in order to help Skelly?

6. What happened when Jake had breakfast in the restaurant with Skelly and his mom?

7. What happened at the dinner table on Valentine's Day that bothered Jake?

8. What happened when Jake stayed after school one day to play football?

9. How did Skelly react to James and Jake, and what was the result?

10. What was Jake's mom like when he was a baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alma Russell is an interesting mix of caregiver and comic relief. Explain her part in the story and how she affects Jake. What does he learn from her, and how does he treat her?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the irony of the experience Jake had with his report and what he discovered when he went home that day.

Essay Topic 3

How does the author break stereotypes in the scenes where Skelly disappears and when he is found? Cite at least two examples of broken stereotypes or false first impressions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 574 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample